Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition for the Counseling Psychology program is set by The Graduate School; therefore, for current tuition rates, please see The Graduate School Web site at www.northwestern.edu/graduate. Be aware that students who take three or four credit units during a quarter are enrolled full-time in that quarter, and pay a "package tuition rate" for the quarter, whereas students who take less than three credit units during a quarter, as is the case in the third year of the Two Plus Curriculum, are enrolled half-time in that quarter, and pay a "per course" tuition rate for the quarter.

Northwestern University scholarship and fellowship aid as well as University teaching assistantships are limited to doctoral students. However, a limited number of program-based assistantships at varying levels of support are available to qualified incoming students on a competitive basis. These assistantships are awarded on the basis of a variety of criteria, including demonstrated financial need and academic performance. Those interested in applying for this funding should include a statement with their application explaining the need for the funding and why they should be considered for an award. Assistantships carry a service obligation and programmatic responsibilities.

In addition, Master's students are eligible for all loan programs administered through The Graduate School and many of our students are on some type of loan arrangement (see the Financial Aid section of The Graduate School Web site at www.northwestern.edu/graduate). The Graduate School sends information about the student loan application process to all admitted students.

Some students work in non-university jobs while in the program but only on a part-time basis. The optimal job is one with a great deal of flexibility due to demanding course, program and field training requirements. Information about graduate positions as residence hall assistants or residence hall coordinators may be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Residence Life. The undergraduate Residential Colleges offer positions as Assistant Masters to competitive graduate students, and applications may be obtained from the Office of Residential Colleges.

To apply for an assistantship, please include a statement with your application explaining the need for funding and any other considerations the committee should take into account when considering an award. The completed assistantship application form, along with the decision to matriculate into the program, must be received no later than March 1, 2010.  Requests from applicants who have not indicated their intent to matriculate IN WRITING by March 1, 2010 cannot be guaranteed consideration for funding and may be placed on a wait-list to be reviewed pending the availability of funds.